Ear Wax can be Useful
It protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water. So, in fact, ear wax is a good thing.
Ear wax is useful in other ways too!
1. In the past, ear wax was used as a lip balm. This means people stuck their fingers or tools into their ears and then smeared it on their lips.
2. Ear wax was also used as a salve or soothing ointment for puncture wounds. The 1832 edition of the American Frugal Housewife said that "nothing was better than ear wax to prevent the painful effects resulting from a wound by a nail or skewer”.
3. In the early days of publishing, ear wax was often a component of printer's ink together with other substances like urine, used to prepare pigments used by scribes to prepare illuminated manuscripts.
4. Before waxed threads became available, seamstresses often used their own ear wax to prevent the end of thread from fraying. This means that people's clothes had other people's ear wax on them, so often clothes were similar to wearable cotton swabs.
5. Modern anthropologists examine ear wax when tracking human migratory patterns. According to the University of Delaware, ear wax can reveal a range of information. Ear wax can indicate where a person's ancestry is from to the smelliness of their sweat.
Wow - those of us that produce excess ear wax are useful folks to have around! Mind you, not sure about using another’s ear wax as lip balm!
Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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28.1% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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21% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7% Keep it as is
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31.8% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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11.3% Anything but fireworks
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Can You Handle Today’s Mind-Boggling Riddle?
David's father has three sons: Snap, Crackle, and _____?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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